Tag Archives: Customs Bill

Senate Finance Committee to Examine Past Free Trade Agreements; Ceasefire Takes Effect in Syria

By Stacy Swanson on February 29, 2016 Posted in Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

President Barack Obama signed the customs bill and Judicial Redress Act into law last Wednesday. In addressing U.S. state governors last week, the President expressed optimism that Congress may act this year on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal. Congress will be in session this week, with a number of defense-related hearings scheduled, as well as a … Continue Reading

Senate to Vote on a North Korea Sanctions Bill, While the House Focuses on Oversight Hearings; President Obama Hosts Italian President Mattarella and Releases His Budget Proposal; With the TPP Agreement Signed, Republicans Warns of Slow Congressional Process

By Stacy Swanson on February 8, 2016 Posted in Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

U.S. President Barack Obama hosted Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at the White House last Thursday, while U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal that day in New Zealand. Some Republican Members warned that despite the U.S. signature the congressional process may take some time. Last Tuesday, after missing an EU … Continue Reading

House to Vote on an Iran-Sanctions Bill and a Measure to Electrify Africa; Some Congressional Hearings to Focus on Countering ISIL and the U.S. Strategy for Syria and Iraq

By Stacy Swanson on January 25, 2016 Posted in Data Privacy & Cybersecurity, Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

The Senate was in session last week, while the House of Representatives remained in recess in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. On 16 January, Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran took effect, as did a prisoner swap. Washington’s attention then quickly shifted to an impending historic blizzard … Continue Reading

Congress Focuses on Nonproliferation (Iran, North Korea); President Obama Focuses on the State of the Union Address

By Stacy Swanson on January 11, 2016 Posted in Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

The House of Representatives reconvened in Washington last Tuesday. The Senate reconvenes today. President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday when he gives the annual State of the Union. Last week, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget announced the President would release his Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Budget … Continue Reading

Congress Adjourns for the Year – Recap of Last Week’s Foreign Policy Matters; President Obama Departs Washington for the Holidays

By Stacy Swanson on December 21, 2015 Posted in Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

Congress approved an Omnibus spending measure and tax extenders package last Friday, its final major hurdle before adjourning for the year. The House is expected to return for the new congressional session on Tuesday, 5 January 2016, with the Senate to follow on Monday, 11 January. President Barack Obama departed Washington late Friday for his … Continue Reading

Congress Continues to Focus on the Iran Nuclear Deal; The Administration Continues to Scrutinize Russia’s Activities; UNGA Opens in New York City

By Stacy Swanson on September 14, 2015 Posted in Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

Iran Nuclear Deal On Thursday, 10 September, the Senate failed to pass a motion to invoke cloture on the resolution disapproving of the Iran nuclear deal (H.J.Res. 61) by a vote of 58-42. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) immediately filed a new motion, teeing up another vote on the measure this week. President Barack Obama … Continue Reading

Obama Administration Reaches Out to Congress On the Iran Deal; TPP Chief Negotiators To Meet, Push to Conclude A Deal; TIP Report Overdue

By Stacy Swanson on July 20, 2015 Posted in Defense & Homeland Security, US Executive Branch

Iran Early last Tuesday, President Obama announced that, after two years of negotiations, the P5+1 negotiators reached a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Congress will now have an opportunity to review the deal, and the Obama Administration has already begun outreach to Members. President Obama also … Continue Reading